Spotlight on the loss of Detroit's historic landmarks
132-144 West Lafayette Boulevard
The Lafayette Building is in the process of being demolished. Another historic landmark destroyed to make room for the new, or another vacant lot. It was a sad sight I came upon today when I saw the remnants of such beautiful architecture being torn down.
Built in1924, the office building was designed by world famous architect C. Howard Crane. This is the same Crane, by the way, who also designed many of the local theater's.
The office building was designed in the neo-classical architecture style. It 's structure contained mainly brick, limestone, and terra cotta and it had a grand appearance. It was a place that drew the wealthy and elite in its hay day.
At one time it also housed the Michigan Supreme Court. It had once been a monument that represented Detroit's prosperity and civic pride. Now it has rotted away. It stands a shell of what it once was and is in the process of being demolished by a racking ball.
After years of neglect the building had become a danger to those who walked below its towering walls. Incidences occurred this past year where large chunks of bricks and stonework shed away from the structure and fell to the sidewalk below.
For a photographic tour of more historic builds that are rotting away please check out the following link
http://onlyndetroit.com/html/decay/decaysubmenu.htm
Copyright© 2009 Tanya Britt, eyesonuphoto
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